The International Council

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New report on irregular migration and migrant smuggling

The ICHRP is pleased to announce the publication of its new report Irregular Migration, Migrant Smuggling and Human Rights: Towards Coherence. A copy of the report can be ordered electronically.

Migration policies across the world are driven by three core concerns: border and law enforcement, economic interest, and protection. The report argues that official policies are failing partly because protection has been marginalised. Intensified efforts to suppress migration have not deterred people from seeking security or opportunity abroad but drive many into clandestinity, while the promotion of open economic markets has attracted millions of people to centres of prosperity but tolerated widespread exploitation. As a political consequence, discussion of migration is widely polarised and distorted by xenophobia and racism.

The report suggests that it is in governments’ interest to affirm their legal and moral responsibility to protect everyone, including migrants. Human rights law provides a baseline of essential protection for migrants, and the components of a more balanced and rational policy approach. A substantial appendix summarises the rights of irregular migrants in international law.

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Appraisal:

“Irregular migration is a hot topic in a large number of states…
and the debate is often ill-conceived, misinformed and jingoistic.
It is essential that it be reframed on the basis of fact and law.
The report makes a very useful contribution to that.”
Chris Sidoti, Human Rights Council of Australia

More background on the project.

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ICHRP sponsored course begins at the Henry Dunant Institute - Latin America

ICHRP is pleased to announce the commencement of the diploma on “social rights, public policies and humanitarian intervention in times of globalization” at the Henry Dunant Institute in Santiago, Chile. The ICHRP expects that the sponsorship of the programme will help in the promotion of its work among Spanish speaking policy makers in Latin America. Continue

ICHRP Corruption and Human Rights Report in Spanish launched in Chile

On 10 August 2010, the Spanish version of Corruption and Human Rights: Making the Connection was launched in Santiago de Chile. The speakers were: Christian Gruenberg, representing ICHRP, one of the authors of the report; María de los Ángeles Fernández, Executive Director of Fundación Chile 21; and Silvana Lauzán, Director of the Democracy and Human Rights programme at the Universidad de Chile. Continue

ICHRP Launches Migration Report together with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

On July 13, at a reception to launch Irregular Migration, Migrant Smuggling and Human Rights: Towards Coherence, the latest ICHRP report, the Council welcomed Navanethem Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who spoke in support of the work being conducted by the ICHRP and the sound policies recommended in the latest ICHRP report. Continue

Donor Meeting

On July 8, the ICHRP welcomed donors to discuss the Council’s interim strategic plan and to provide feedback on its activities during this important transition period.

Among the attendees were representatives from the British, Irish, Canadian, Dutch, Swiss, and Norwegian ministries and diplomatic missions as well as other development organizations. Continue

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ICHRP report used in UNDP consultation on corruption and human rights

In May and June 2010, the International Council on Human Rights Policy’s report Corruption and Human Rights: Making the Connection was highlighted during an e-consultation organised by the UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre, in cooperation with the UN Human Rights Policy network.

The consultation shared the principal objectives of the ICHRP corruption project Continue

Televised debate by KPMG on the theme of accountability

On May 4, ICHRP’s Director participated in a 90 minute televised debate on the theme of accountability, organised by KPMG with Television Suisse Romande. Titled Blame and responsibility – an opportunity to restore trust? Continue

Corruption Report Book Review

The ICHRP is pleased to announce that the coordinator of the UNESCO Chair on Ethics and Human Rights from the University Tecnologico de Monterrey, Dra. Dora Elvira Garcia, has prepared a book review of the publication Corruption and Human Rights: Making the Connection. In her review Dra. Garcia stresses the importance of the topic in general and in particular in the Mexican context.